Powerful Feelings

Late this afternoon, more than 50 campers and staff members presented their performance of the Disney-inspired play, 101 Dalmatians. This is the story, set in London, how the villainous Cruella De Vil is foiled in her attempt to make a fur coat out of dalmatian puppies. It’s a cute story, set to music with several great songs (e.g., “Kanine Krunchies,” Twilight Bark,” and “My Beautiful Coat).” It’s particularly good for a camp production because there are so many important parts to be played as well as a large chorus of dalmatians. Homemade costumes and hand-painted backdrops set the stage for these talented young ladies to sing, act, tell jokes, and entertain the entire camp. It was a wonderful show, and if you missed it, don’t worry. We’ll have it on the yearbook DVD we’ll mail you in December.

Earlier in the day, in between the horse show, which was fantastic with so many girls jumping, trotting and cantering around the large lower ring, and the girls competing against the boys of Camp Carolina, which turned out well despite a brief rain shower, everyone began the complicated process of packing their belongings. This can be a challenge for a number of reasons. First of all, simply finding everything can be difficult. Entropy is a powerful force around here- things tend to scatter- but fortunately there is another force at work (all the staff!) collecting stray items for our lost and found table. Secondly, there are new things to pack, things like craft projects, received letters, and other found treasures. Then, it always seems like clothes expand when they are just even slightly damp. Squishing all of this back into the trunk and duffel bag they came in can be problematic. Thankfully, we are always prepared with an emergency plastic bag, so everything can make it home.

The “Spirit Fire,” our traditional, all-camp, closing campfire ended the day. Different from all the big fun we enjoy everyday at Rockbrook, this is a more formal event where the campers and staff dress in their red and white uniforms and sing traditional camp songs (Here’s a recording of a song from last night). It includes brief speeches by the campers reflecting on their time at camp this session, a final talk by Sarah, and a beautiful candlelit procession to the edge of our lake. Most importantly, it’s an emotional moment of bonding for everyone. We’ve grown closer over these last few weeks and tomorrow we have to say goodbye once again for another year. Anticipating that, while sitting shoulder to shoulder around the campfire, can well up tears and powerful feelings. These are the good feelings though, the ones that make camp so meaningful for all of us.

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